MABEL: Multimedia Archives Based Electronic Library

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MABEL FAQ

What is MABEL?

MABEL (Multimedia Archives Based Electronic Library) is a robust, central repository for discovery, sharing and preservation of Western's digital assets. MABEL provides sustainable management of digital content that facilitates creativity, outreach, research, teaching and learning at Western Washington University. MABEL is the result of a cross-campus partnership involving content creators, stewards and stakeholders.

What will be the advantages of using MABEL?

MABEL supports the discovery, management and preservation of valuable digital assets. The system will enable:

Enhanced collaboration among content creators and content users;

Faster, more powerful access to digital content;

Support for vibrant marketing, publishing, outreach, and creative works;

A reliable, sustainable platform for long-term stewardship of digital assets;

More efficient use of institutional resources;

Efficiencies in sharing content with internal and external constituencies.

Who will be able to use MABEL?

Western employees who work with digital assets on behalf of their organizational units will be able to use MABEL to manage and share those assets. Although access permissions for content in this platform will vary, members of the larger University community (employees, students and beyond) will also be able to use MABEL for searching and discovery of public-facing collections.

How do I become a user of MABEL?

Thanks for your interest! The MABEL project is currently in an implementation phase - you can view our timeline on this page: http://mabel.wwu.edu/timeline. Although we're not yet ready to bring everyone on board, we will be testing MABEL with key campus stakeholders during Spring and Summer 2018, with the intent of expanding campus use during AY18-19. User onboarding will occur through an ambassadorship program. If you and your organizational unit have an interest in adding and managing assets in MABEL, we'd be pleased to hear from you.

What content will I be able to upload and manage in MABEL?

MABEL will be able to accommodate a wide variety of file types and formats, including images, video and sound recordings and textual documents. MABEL content and collections will be structured around organizational units of Western. All content in the system must be: 1) Compliant with Rights criteria established in the MABEL Rights Management policy; 2) Shareable (internally and/or externally), with the extent of sharing to be determined by creating units; 3) Managed, in that it conforms to metadata, retention, format and use standards; 4) University-owned or licensed through a written agreement and retained in support of the University’s mission. 5) Unique material that does not duplicate another resource in MABEL, i.e. no duplicate photographs or exact copies of video footage. This is to make the best use of space and increase ease of use for users.

Who will have permissions to access content in MABEL?

Work units and content contributors can control access permissions to the digital assets they upload and manage in MABEL. Although some content and collections in MABEL will be made available to the public, access can also be limited to members of the University community or even to specific Western employees.

What is the timeline for MABEL? When will it be launched?

What is the difference between MABEL and Western CEDAR?

MABEL (Multimedia Archives Based Electronic Library) will be a central repository for discovery, sharing and preservation of Western's digital assets. Western CEDAR provides open access to scholarship and creative works produced by the Western community. Together, these platforms will support discovery of a valuable array of content in support of teaching, learning and research at Western Washington University.

I have a question. Who can I speak to?

Thanks for your interest! If you have a question that is not answered here, please contact the MABEL User Group at: mabel@wwu.edu.